Fujikawa report: Closer relies on fastball, split-finger

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — What kind of pitcher are the Chicago Cubs getting in Kyuji Fujikawa, the Japanese star they reportedly will sign for two years and $9.5 million?

“Yes, he can be a closer in the major leagues,” one Japanese League team executive said Monday at the winter meetings. Fujikawa is expected to be the Cubs closer if they trade Carlos Marmol.

But the executive, who has seen Fujikawa pitch extensively for the Hanshin Tigers, also says the 32-year-old right-hander “has lost some speed off his fastball.”

“He could throw 96-97 (miles an hour),” the exec said. “He is basically (using) a fastball and split-finger (pitch). But he also has other pitches, a slider and curveball.”

Fujikawa has “big league” experience by pitching twice for his country in the World Baseball Classic, which will be held again this spring. He saved 41 games and compiled a 1.40 earned-run average for the Hanshin Tigers in 2011 and saved 24 games with a 1.32 ERA last summer.